art for humanity...'the art of human rights'
is a non-profit organisation based in Durban, South Africa which specialises in producing fine art print portfolios, exhibitions, billboards and research projects that advocate various human rights issues in South Africa and internationally. The Art for Humanity website serves as an online resource for those interested in human rights, art and social development.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

On
the 14 May, Art for Humanity headed to Umlazi’s BB Section to host the second
Art and Social Justice School Workshop for 2012 at Bashokuhle Higher Primary
School.

The
workshop started at 10:30 am and consisted of an exuberant 40 learners from
grades 5, 6 and 7. The workshop was
facilitated by AFH Director Jan Jordaan, Manager, Lungile Gumede, Art
administrator Lethuxolo Langa, Media Administrator Thireshni Sanasy and Poet
Brian Gumede. The workshop began with an
introduction by Jan Jordaan, thereafter the learners were taken to the banner
installed on their school building by AFH. The banner showcased the artwork
“The Sound of an African Drum” by Nigerian artist Joseph Madisia, together with
a poem also entitled “The Sound of an African Drum” by Luness Mpunwa-Mhlope. The gathering of learners led to much
excitement and most of the students were not afraid to voice their opinions
concerning their interpretation of the artwork and poetry.

A learner during the workshop

Once the
learners were back in the classroom, they got down to documenting their ideas
and thoughts in the form of art and poetry.
Creating artwork on various social topics such as aids, violence and
abuse, the young learners proved to show great knowledge and observation to the
problems around them. Grade 6 learner,
Nosipho Decarlos said, “My artwork is about blooded hands and people fighting
with each other and killing each other as Africans.” She added that she would really like for AFH
to host another workshop because through the workshop she has a chance of
showing her talent.

The
response from the learners during the workshop were all positive and most of
the students showed much excitement towards the workshop. 12 year old Thuli said, “I think the
workshops are good because they make our dreams come true.”

Vuyisile Mqedlano (12) reciting her poem

The poet, Brian Gumede took the spotlight as
he performed poetry. The crowd which
consisted off the learners and various subject educators were impressed with
his performance. Brian set the tone for the learners
performances as they showed no shyness when having to recite their original
poetry. A grade 7 seven learner, Thuli
recited her poetry which was based on “people selling their bodies and their
lives” she made mention of how young
girls today dress in short skirts and do not realise that their morality is
being lost by their choice of fashion.

Tiny Vuyisile
Mqedlano (12) also of grade 7 showed off her drawing of the South African Flag
and wrote a poem based on the significance of the flag. Adding that she thoroughly enjoyed the
workshop.

The workshop
ended with AFH facilitator Lethuxolo Langa being flanked by the learners who
wanted a hug and to know of the return date of AFH.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Art for Humanity
(AFH) shall be hosting an Art and Social Justice School workshop at Bashokuhle
Primary School (BB Section, Umlazi) at 11:00 on Friday (11/05/2012).

Banner installed

Bashokuhle Primary School is one of the
schools chosen for the AFH Art and Social Justice Workshops 2012. The 2 hour long workshops are in aim to
advocate human rights and social justice issues through art and poetry and allow
the learner’s the freedom to fully embrace their creative and imaginative side,
by expressing themselves freely through art and poetry.

The Art and Social Justice School workshops
have had all positive reviews in the past and this project has been in
operation since 1998 with workshops being held at various schools within
KwaZulu-Natal.

About
the workshop

The Art and Social Justice School Workshop consist
of a permanent high quality banner being installed on the school premises which
visualises art and poetry from AFH projects/portfolios, in the case of
Bashokuhle Primary School, two banners were installed on request. The workshop is facilitated by AFH Director-
Jan Jordaan, Manager- Lungi Gumede, Art
Administrator- Lethu Langa, Media Administrator – Thireshni Sanasy and Hip Hop
Poet – Brian Gumede.

The workshop, depending on the size of the
group of learners, 20 - 40, the group is divided into two, (i.) the art
group and (ii.) the poetry group. The artists will then workshop with the
learners facilitating their response through their own drawings and paintings
to the art and the messages. (AFH supplies the art materials and paper.)

Banner installed within the school building

The poet in turn facilitate the learners
responses to the poem on display through the learners own interpretation
of the poem. Art for Humanity journalism and fine art interns/students from the
respective Durban University of Technology departments assist the pupils to
create their own responses to the art and poetry banners on display at the
participating schools.

A representative from the South African
Human Rights Commission also gives a presentation to the learners and a
discussion takes place on the importance of human rights and
responsibilities.

Refreshments for the learners are provided
by AFH and Learners present their art and poetry, resulting from the workshop,
to the rest of the learners, teachers present and the AFH
facilitators.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

It is that time of the year again, when Art for Humanity sets out on our adventurous Art and Social Justice school workshops! Our first stop for the year is at Umbilo Secondary in Wentworth on the 05 May!

School Banner installed Bonela Secondary

Ogwini Technical School learners during the 2010 workshop

The Art and Social Justice School workshops was formed in 1998, and are in aim to advocate human rights and social justice issues through art and poetry within schools. Each school receives a large banner which has artwork and poetry from the various AFH projects such as 'Women for Children, Break the Silence, UDHR and the Dialogue Among Civilizations Print Portfolios. The workshop then consists of AFH facilitators assisting a group of learners whilst they participate in the workshop by making art and writing poetry which the finally perform to the class at the end. In the past four years, AFH has hosted numerous workshops through out the KwaZulu-Natal area and the response from educators and learners of the schools have up to date been phenomenal, with many of the schools asking for us to return. Learners who had lacked confidence took to the stage of the school workshops performing poetry and showing off the artwork they had done.

AFH shall be hosting a minimum of 13 Art and Social Justice school workshops this year! if you wish for more information on the workshops, please email us at afh@dut.ac.za